About Kingston Literacy & Skills

ABOUT Kingston Literacy & Skills

Kingston Literacy & Skills furthers the development and growth of adult and family literacy in Kingston and neighbouring communities.

Kingston Literacy & Skills Core Values

The following values are given as a list of beliefs and a guide for all that we do. They are called “core” because they are at the centre of what collectively defines us and moves us to action towards our literacy goals.

These core values or beliefs have been compiled from various sources and yet are not all-encompassing. There should be an annual review of these core values with a view to ensuring that our values represent our mandate and mission statement.

The core values of Kingston Literacy & Skills are:

	All people should be respected and treated fairly, regardless of race, gender, beliefs, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation and economic means;
	Learning is a life-long process;
	All adults and families should have access to opportunities for upgrading their literacy, numeracy and basic computer skills for full participation in society;
	In working cooperatively with the community we build a more literate society;
	Kingston Literacy & Skills provides opportunities for volunteers to realize their potential, to help others and to support their community;
	Our programs and services must be responsive to community need and provide opportunities for people to develop essential employment skills;
	Every individual in Kingston Literacy & Skills has the opportunity to make positive contributions to the growth and development of the organization;
	These core values are reflected in all that we say and do.

Revised and approved June 20, 2006

Kingston Literacy & Skills Historical Sketch 1976 to1990

Organization

Structure
Kingston Literacy & Skills is an incorporated non-profit organization and a registered charity. The Annual General Meeting is held in June. Kingston Literacy & Skills is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and advised by a number of committees.

Funding
Current Major Funders are the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and the Ministry for Community, Family and Children Services, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Significant funding has also received from Human Resources Development Canada, United Way serving Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington, Township of South Frontenac, City of Kingston, the Greater Kingston Community Foundation.

People

Students
Kingston Literacy & Skills students are 19 years of age and older, and have been out of school for at least one year. They all share a desire to improve their basic skills. These include reading, writing, spelling, numeracy (arithmetic), critical thinking, research, categorizing, organizing and introductory computers. As part of the assessment process, students identify what skills they want to improve.

Students in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Many of these students were professionals in their home country and are learning English so they can pursue their profession here. Others may come with little education in their first language and may have literacy challenges. All students see their English class as an important step in helping them integrate into all aspects of life in Kingston.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program
FREE English language classes are offered for Beginner and Intermediate level students at The LINC Centre, 16 Bath Road. We offer full-time and part-time day classes. We also offer evening classes.

For more information about the programs available at our LINC Centre please visit: www.linckingston.ca

Board Members
Board members bring a variety of professional and life experience to their board service. Currently, the Kingston Literacy & Skills Board has 13 members, including tutors and students, professional educators, librarians, people from business and finance, and other community members.
John Brown	Jim Brown
Arlene Cronin	Robin Dawes
Chris Durant	Nancy Jones (Secretary)
Mike Welker (Treasurer)	Laura Kinderman
Marilyn Shurtleff (President)	Lars Thompson
Kristin Stevens	Marian Van Bruinessen
Arlene Healey

Staff
Executive Director
Literacy and Basic Skills - 1:1/small group



Family Literacy


LINC
(coordinator)	(admin)


Early Literacy Specialists
Jenna Willoughby
Bookkeeper

Administrative Coordinator

Marketing Coordinator

Project Staff

Volunteers Volunteers serve as Board and Committee Members, work at fundraising events, help with resources, and provide one-to-one tutoring for students. Volunteer tutors take a 16-hour training program before being matched with a student.